Mining machine



Sept. 29, 1931. c. F. OSGOOD MINING MACHINE Filed April 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jizvenior: CZarZanZ T 0&90065. 6y 4- W,

Sept. 29, 1931. c. F. oscsoon MINING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 27, 1928 uyooai.

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Sept. 29, 1931. c. F. OSGOOD 1,824,964

MINING MACHINE Filed April 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 azzfy.

Patented Sept. 29, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES F. OSGOOD, OF OLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE ASSIGNOB TO SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS MINING MACHINE Application filed April 27, 1928. Serial No. 278,814.

This invention relates to mining machines and more particularly to mining machines of the flexibly fed continuous cutter type adapted to use in accordance with either the 1 long-wall or room and pillar system of min- An object of this invention is to provide an improved mining machine. Another object is to provide an improved 1 lining machine of m the flexibly fed continuous cutter type having improved compact feeding mechanism which is exceedingly flexible in operation and which may be easily controlled. Another object is to provide such a feeding mechanism whereby the machine may be fed in an improved manner when used either as a longwall machine or a room and pillar machine. A further object is to provide an improved feeding mecha nism for a combined longwall and room and m pillar mining machine having a feed operat ing member and a take-up or controlling member co-operating with separate flexible feeding elements and arranged in a novel manner whereby the machine may be fed in accordance with either the longwall or the room and pillar system of mining. Yet another object is to provide a longwall mining machine having improved cutting mechanism of the pivoted bar type whereby the cutter 30 bar may be swung about its pivot wholly independently of the feeding means for the machine. Still another object is to provide an improved mining machine of the combined longwall and room and pillar type of a low compact construction having a horizontal driving motor whose height is only that requisite for its power producing function and which substantially determines the height of the machine. These and other objects of this invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

The invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combinations of parts to be hereinafter particularly described and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustration one embodiment which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings Fig. 1 is a plan view of the improved minlng machine.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a central longitudinally extend- 5 ing vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 33 of Fig. 1 and illustrating the improved cutting mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3, parts being broken away and 0 shown in section to illustrate details of construction.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a plan view, partially in section, 5 of the improved feeding mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 77 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on line 88 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the machine when cutting in accordance with the room and pillar system of mining.

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the machine cuttmg in accordance with the longwall system of mining.

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the machine mounted on a self-propelled transport truck and operating as a mounted machine.

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention there is shown a mining machine of the flexibly fed continuous cutter type which is adapted to use in accordance with either the longwall or the room and pillar system of mining and comprising a generally rectangular machine frame 1, slidable on its bottom 2 directly on the mine bottom. This machine frame comprises a central motor section 3, a cuttingsection 4, and a no feed section 5, the motor section 3 being interposed between the cutting and feed sections and rigidly connected to the latter in any suitable manner. The height of the motor section 3 is only that requisite for the power producing function of the motor and substantially determines the height of the machine, this motor section sliding directly on its bottom on the mine bottom and housin a horizontal motor 6, herein preferably 0 chine. As illustrated, pivotall mounted on the cutting section 4 for swinging movement in a horizontal plane is an elongated plane cutter bar 8 having an orbitally movable cutter bit carrying cutter chain 9 mounted on its margin and'driven through improved connections hereinafter described from the 10 driving motor 6. The machine is fed by feeding means of the flexible type and herein includes coaxial feed and take-up or controlling members 10 and 11 carried by the feed section 5 and arranged on horizontal transversely extending axes at opposite sides of the machineframe as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1. These drums cooperate with separate flexible feeding elements or cables 12 and 13 respectively, and are adapted to be driven in an improved manner, to be later described, by the driving motor 6.

The improved cutting mechanism as shown in the drawings specifically comprises a bevel pinion 14 rigidly fixed by a key and screw connection to one end of the motor shaft 7, i. e., the end of the shaft remote from the feed frame section 5. This bevel pinion 14 meshes with a bevel gear 15 rotatable in a horizontal plane and journaled on a vertical shaft 16. The shaft 16 is journaled at its lower end in a ball bearing 17 suitably carried by the frame section 4 and has rotatably mounted thereon a spur pinion 18 disposed above the bevel gear 15. The spur pinion 18 is connectible to and disconnectible from the bevel gear 15 by means of a clutch device comprising a toothed clutch member 19 inte gral with the hub of the bevel gear 15 and a toothed clutch member 20 integral with the hub of the spur pinion 18. Slidably engaging the teeth on 'these clutch members is a shiftable clutch member 21, this clutch member being shiftable into and out of engagement with the clutch member 19. The means for actuating the clutch member 21 comprises a shipper yoke 22 suitably fixed to a horizontal transversely extending shaft 23 rotatably mounted within the frame section 4 and having suitable operating handles 24 secured to its opposite ends and disposed at the opposite sides of the machine. As illustrated, the spur pinion 18 meshes with a larger spur gear 25 having a hub portion journaled on axially spaced ball bearings 26 supported by a vertical main cutter chain driving shaft 27 The opposite ends of the shaft 27 are journaled in ball bearings 28 and 29 suitably supported within the frame section 4. As clearly shown in Fig. 3 the hub of the spur gear 25 is connected by a semipermanent tooth clutch 30 to a sleeve member 31 rotatably mounted on a bearing sleeve 32 supported by the vertical shaft 27. The lower end of the sleeve 31 has formed thereon clutch teeth 33 which are engageable with clutch teeth. 34 formed on a shiftable clutch member 35 surrounding the shaft 27 and uided within a bore 36 formed within the rame section. Also formed on the clutchv member 35 are teeth 37 which constantly engage teeth 38 formed on a clutch member 39 keyed at 40 to the shaft 27. The shipper member 35 is adapted to be shifted upwardly into engagement with clutch teeth 38 on the sleeve by means of a shipper yoke 41 suitably fixed to a horizontal transversely extending shaft 42 rotatably mounted within the frame section and having fixed thereto at its opposite ends operating handles 43 disposed at the opposite sides of the machine. eyed at 44 to the lower end of the shaft 27 is a cutter chain driving sprocket 45 with which the cutter chain 9 coo crates. From the foregoing description it is evident that when the motor is running and the bevel gear 15 and the pinion 18 are connected by the clutch member 21 and when the clutch member 35 is connected to the sleeve 31 the cutter chain may be driven from the motor through bevel gearing 14, 15, spur gearing 18, 25, and the shaft 27. r

In this instance it will be noted that the cutter bar 8 is provided with cylindrical upper and lower bearing surfaces 46 disposed above and below the cutter chain sprocket 45 and engaging suitable bearing sleeves 47 and 48, the bearing sleeve 47 being supported on a cylindrical depending portion 49 of the frame section while the bearing 48 is supported on a cylindrical projection 50 extending upwardly from the bottom of the frame section. Also guiding the cutter bar 8 during its swinging movement is an annular thrust ring 51 secured by bolts 52 to an annular flange formed integral with the frame section. Engaging this thrust ring is a large internal gear 53 arranged in axial alinement with the bar pivot and forming a portion of the improved bar swinging means as will hereinafter be described, this internal gear being rigidly secured at 54 to the cutter bar 8. The improved bar swinging means driven by the motor 6 comprises mechanism for effecting bar swing at a slow cutting speed in one direction and at a relatively fast positioning speed in the opposite direction without reversing the motor. The improved mechanism for effecting bar swing at a relatively high positioning speed comprises a spur pinion meshing with the spur gear 25 and fixed as at 61 to a vertical shaft 62 suitably journaled within the frame section 4. This shaft has fixed thereto a worm 63 meshing with a fast speed worm gear 64 journaled on a ball bearing 65 supported by a horizontal transversely extending hollow driving shaft 66. As clearly shown in Fig. 4 the shaft 66 is journaled at its opposite ends in ball bearings 67 and 68 suitably carried by bearing brackets 69. The worm gear 64 is connectible in driving relation with the shaft 66 by means of a friction clutch com-. prising friction discs 70 carried by the gear and interleaved with friction discs 71 carried by a clutch member 72 suitably fixed at 73 to the shaft 66. The means for applying the fast speed clutch 70,71 comprises a clutch applying member or pressure plate 74 arranged coaxially with the gear 64 and having a central opening through which an operating shaft or rod 75 extends, this operating shaft extending axially through the hollow shaft 66. Fixed at 76 to the shaft 75 is a hand wheel-77 having a hub portion extending through an aperture 78 in the side of the frame section and abutting at its upper end against the pressure plate 74. As shown the shaft 75 is threadedly connected at 79 to the shaft 66. It is therefore evident that'when the operator grasps the hand wheel 77 and rotates the threaded shaft 75 the latter moves axially inwardly relative to the shaft 66 bringing the hub of the hand wheel into engagement with the pressure plate 74 and forcing the latter into clutch applying position. Herein secured to the shaft 66 intermediate its ends is a worm 82 which meshes with a worm gear 83 keyed at 84 to a vertical shaft 85'rotatably mounted in ball bearings 86 suitably supported on the frame section. The downward axial thrust of the shaft 85 is absorbed by a thrust washer 86 carried by the shaft and engaging the inner race of the upper ball bearing 86. Suitably fixed to the lower end of the shaft 85 is a spur pinion 87 which meshes with the teeth of the internal gear 53 secured to the cutter bar 8. From the foregoing it is evident thatwhen the clutch 7 O, 71 is applied and the clutch members 19 and 20 are connected, the cutter bar is adapted to be swung by power from the motor at a relatively high speed through the bevel gearing 14, 15, spur gearing 18, 25, spur pinion 60, worm 63, worm gear 64, worm 82, worm gear 83, and the spur pinion 87 meshing with the internal gear 53.

The slow speed bar swinging means as shown in the drawings comprises a spur pinion 88 (see Fig. 4) meshing with thespur gear 25 at the opposite side of the machine from the fast speed bar swinging pinion heretofore described. This pinion 88 is suitably fixed to a vertical shaft 89 which also has fixed thereto a worm 90 meshing with a slow speed worm gear 91 having teeth of less lead than and oppositely inclined from the teeth on the fast speed worm gear 64 and arranged coaxially with the worm gear 64- at the opposite side of the machine from the latter. The worm gear 91 is connectible to the shaft 66 by means of a friction clutch enclosed therein identical to the friction clutch 70, 71 and havin a similar operating means including a hand wheel 92 fixed to the shaft 75 at the end thereof opposite from the hand 7 wheel 77. It will thus be seen that when the tions about its pivot and thereafter under normal conditions automatically .locked against swinging movement by means of the worm gearing which is herein of the selflocking type. However under certain conditions it has been found that the worm gearing does not form a positive lock and due to vibration set up within the machine and the action of the cutter bits against the coal the cutter bar tends to move or work about its pivot. To obviate this, improved frictional retarding or resistance devices 93 and 94 are provided. The retarding device 93 comprises semicircular friction members 95 maintained in frictional engagement with the walls of a. bore 96 formed within the frame section by means of coil springs 97 interposed between these members. As shown in Fig. 5 the friction members 95 are keyed at 98 to a sleeve 99 in turn keyed to the shaft 66. The friction device 94 is of similar construction. These frictional resistance devices 93, 94 automatically tend to hold the shaft 66 against rotation and are so constructed that during driving of the bar swinging means they automatically slip, but when the bar swinging means is inoperative and the bar is locked against movement they prevent any tendencyof the worm gearing 82 and 83 from working backwards as the machine'is fedalong the coal face during the cutting operation.

The improved driving connections between the motor and the feed and take-up or controlling drums 10 and 11 herein comprises aspur pinion 100 suitably fixed to the end of the motor shaft 7 opposite from the bevel pinion 14, i. e., the end of the motor shaft remote from the cutting mechanism. This spur pinion meshes with an idler gear 101 meshing with a spur gear 102 suitably fixed to a horizontal shaft 103 having its axis extending longitudinally of the machine. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8 the shaft 103 has keyed thereto at 104 a worm 105, this shaft being rotatably mounted in ball bearings 106 sultably supported at the opposite ends of the worm 105 within the feed section 5. Fixed at 107 to the shaft 103 is a spur pinion 108 which meshes with a spur gear 109 keyed at 110 on ahorizontal shaft 111 arranged parallel with the shaft 103. Fixed to the shaft 111 is a worm 112 and this shaft is rotatably mounted within the frame section in ball bearings 113 dis osed at the opposite ends of the worm 112. he worm 112 rotates in a direction posite from the direction of rotation of t e worm 105 and has teeth of steeper lead than the teeth on the worm 105. The worm 105 constitutes the high speed driving worm while the worm 112 constitutes the low speed driving worm and these worms mesh with coaxially arranged worm gears 114 and 115 respectively, rotatably mounted n ball bearin 116 supported within bearlng brackets 117 suitably carried within the feed frame section. As shown in Fig. 6 arranged coaxlally with and extending through the worm gears 114 and 115 is a horizontal transversely extending shaft 118 journaled in ball bearings 119 sup orted within the hubs of the worm ars. eyed at 120 to the shaft 118 intermeiate its ends are clutch members 121 and 122 carrying a series of friction discs 123 and 124 respectively, which are interleaved with a series of friction discs 125, 126 respectively, carried by the worm gears 114 and 115. The friction clutches are provided with suitable applying mechanism each comprising a pressure plate 127, one of these pressure plates engagin the adjacent disc of the clutch disc 123, 125 while the other pressure member engages the adjacent disc of the clutch within the worm gear 115. Engaging the cylindrical plane surfaces of the pressure plates 127 and interposed between the same are sultable rollers 127 carried by a pivoted shipper yoke 128 fixed at 129 to an operating shaft 130 rotatably mounted within the feed frame section. This shaft has fixed thereto at its outer end an operating handle 131 conveniently located at the feeding end of the machine. The opposite ends of the shaft118have fixedthereto spur pinions 132 and 133 respectively. The pinion 132 meshes with a spur gear 134 ournaled in a ball bearing 135 supported with n a bearin bracket 136. The spur gear 134 is connecti le to a coaxial horizontal transversely extending drive shaft 137 by means of a friction clutch comprising a serles of clutch discs 138 carried by the spur gear and interleaved with a corresponding series of clutch discs 139 carried by a clutch member 140 keyed at 141 to the shaft 137. Slidably mounted on the shaft 137 is a clutch applying member 142 having suitable fingers projecting lnto engagement with the adjacent end dlsc of the clutch discs 138, 139. The shifting means for the clutch member 142 comprises a shipper yoke 143 suitably secured to 'a shaft 144 hav- 1ng an operating handle 145 disposed at the end of the machine. As illustrated the shaft 137 is journaled in ball bearings 146 sultably carried within the frame section 4 and has fixed thereto at its outer end a spur plnion 147 meshing with an internal gear 148 herein formed integral with the feed and controlling drum 10. The drum 10 is provided with a hub portion 149 rotatably mounted on a horizontal stub shaft 150 projecting laterally from one side of the frame section and is held in position with the feed and controlling drum 11 through a controllin clutch and transmission gearing substantlally similar to that described above in connection with the drum 10 and further description of these connections are therefore thought to be unnecessary other than to state that the controlling clutch for the drum is provided with suitable operating means including an operating handle 156 disposed at the end of the machine.

In this instance the feed and controlling drums 10 and 11 are disposed wholly within the lateral limits of the machine frame and are arranged within recesses 157 and 158 respectively, disposed at o posite sides of the machine frame thereby orming an exceedingly compact arrangement, the portions of the feed frame section extending above and below these drums protectin the same without in any way interfering with the operation thereof. It will thus be seen that the feed and controlling drums 10 and 11 are both operative to wind in their respective cables at either a relatively slow speed or at a relatively high speed, these drums being independently controlled by their individual controlling clutches while the fast and slow speed clutches control the speed of both drums. Disposed adjacent the drums 10 and 11 at opposite sides of the machine are suitably located guide sheaves 159 and 160 with which the feed cables 12 and 13 cooperate during the various operations of the machine. An additional guide sheave 161 carried by the detachable bracket 162 is connectible to the cutting frame section 4 at either side thereof and this sheave is adapted to guide the advance feeding portion of the flexible feeding means during operation of the machine in accordance with the room and illar system. However during operation of t e machine in accordance with the longwall system this front guide sheave may be detached from the machine or disposed on the machine frame at the opposite side thereof from which the cutter bar projects.

The machine is adapted to be mounted on a self-propelled wheeled transport truck as shown in Fig. 11 and suitable truck driving means is provided on the machine whereby the truck wheels ma be driven at a transport speed from the minlng machine driving motor. This truck driving means comprises, as shown in Fig. 7, a cylindrical enlarged portion or hub 163 formed integral with the shaft 103 and rotatably mounted in a bore 164 5 formed within the frame section. This oylindrical enlarged member has formed therein a polygonal socket 165 which is adapted to engage the usual truck driving member for the truck as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 7 and designated by the numeral 166. The machine is propelled when mounted on its truck in opposite directions along the track'- way at a cutting speed during the cutting operation by means of the flexible machine feeding means as will later be described.

In the operation of the improved mining machine when utilized in accordance with the longwall system of mining and when the ma chine is in the position adjacent the coal face as shown in Fig. 1 the operator grasps the hand wheel 92 and applies the slow speed friction clutch within the worm gear 91, it being assumed that the motor is running and the clutch members 21 and 35 are connected,

25 and as a result the cutter bar is swung laterally about its pivot at a slow cutting speed from the full line osition shown in Fig. 1 to the dotted line position, the controlling clutch thereafter being released and the cutter barautomatically locked in position by the selflocking worm gearing and the frictional resistance devices 93 and 94. The'feed cable 13 is then extended from the feed drum 11 as shown in Fig. 10 and indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1 forwardly along the coal face,

and the free end of this cable is anchored at a point in advance of the machine to a roof jack A in a usual manner (Fig. 10). The operator then suitably manipulates the controlling handle 131 and the slow speed friction clutch 124, 126 is applied and consequently the drive shaft 118 is driven. The operator then manipulates the handle 156 applying the friction clutch controlling the connection of the gear 155 to the feed drum 11 and as a result the feed cable 13 is wound in and the machine is fed at a relatively slow cutting speed relative to the face of the coal in a well known manner. If it is desired to vary the-angle of the cutter bar 8 during the cutting operation, for instance if .a sulphur ball or other unduly hard substance is encountered, the operator suitably'manipulates the control handles 77, 92 and upon suitable application of the controlling clutches the cutter bar may be swung either forwardly or rearwardly about its pivot into the desired position, the cutter bar being swung about its pivot wholly independently of theflexlble 6. machine feeding means. It is therefore evident that the cutter bar may be swung about its pivotduring the cutting operation without readjusing the feed cables and consequently no dela due to such a readjustment of the 5 feed ca les is encountered. It will be obvioperation of the machine. It will of course be understood that when the bar is operating on the opposite side of the machine from that described above the cutter bits must be reversed in their respective links, the motor reversed, and the feed cables rewound on their respective drums.

During the operation of the machine in accordance with theroom and pillar system ofmining it will be noted that the cutter bar at that time is locked in alinement with the longitudinal axis of the machine as indicated by full lines in Fig. 1,and the front guide sheave 161 is suitably attached to the front end of the machine frame at the advancing side of the machine. When the machine is in the position shown in Fig. 9 the feed cable 12 is extended laterally around one of the guide sheaves 159 and around the front guide sheave 161 to a point in advance of the machine and suitably anchored in position adjacent the coal face by a roof jack A. The receding cable 13 is extended from the other drum-11 from one of the guide sheaves 159 and is anchored at its free end to a suitable roof jack B adjacent the right hand rib. The operator then manipulates the handle 131 and the slow speed clutch 124, 126 is applied and then upon suitable manipulation of the handles 145, 156 the drums 10 and 11 are driven at a relatively slow speed and the cables 12 and 13 are wound in in a suitable manner. As a result the machine is fed forwardly toward the coal face and the cutter bar sumped beneath the coal face to the right hand dotted line position in Fig. 9. The

roof jack A is then positioned adjacent the left hand rib and the machine is straightened up and fed laterally across the face under control of the drums 10 and 11 as indicated by the central dotted line osition in Fig. 9,

the advance cable 12 fee ing the machine while the feed drum 11 maintains a desired controlling tension on' the receding cable 13, thus preventin the cutter bar from being swung outward y away from the kerf. During this transverse cutting operation it is obvious that the cutter bar may be swung about its ivot forwardly or rearwardly by power as esired wholly independently of the flexible feeding means. When the machine reaches the end of its transverse cut it is angled and retracted from the face in the usual manner. It will herein be noted that if it is desired to cut in opposite directions, i. e., from left to right, the cables 12 and 13 may be extended from the machine in an opposite manner, the guide sheave 161 transosed to the opposite side of the machine rame, the cutter bits turned in their respec tive links, the motor reversed and the feed feed, cable 13 extended forwardly to an anchor B adjacent the coal face, these cables being used to ropel the truck along the track-.

way'forwar l or rearwardly at'a relatively slow speed dinin the cutting operation. The cutter bar is swung from the dotted line position in Fig. 11' to the lineposition nder the control of the slow speed bar swinging clutch'within theworm gear 91. When it is again desired to position the bar the'jfast speed bar swinging clutch'is applied and the cutter bar swung in the oppo- "site direction at a relativel fast speed. Othere uses and advantages '0 the improved ininin' machine will befclearly apparent to those s lcilled in this art.

While I have in this aplplica'ton specifically described one form w ich the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for. pur-' poses of illustration andthat the invention maybe modified and embodied in V8.110l13 other forms 'without departing from its spirit or the scope of theappended claims.

What I claim as new'and desire to secure "by Letters Patent is: 1

1. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom,

a horizontal motor carried thereb havin its axis extending longitudinally of t e machlne cutting mechanism driven from one end of said motor, and feedin' means driven from the opposite end of said motor for feeding the machine bodily laterally over the mine bottom comprising a plurality of relatively rotatable feed operatin members each adapted to cooperate with exible feeding means and disposed ontransversely extendm horizontal axes wholly within the lateral imits of said frame.

2. In a mining machine, a machine frame j slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a

horizontal motor carried thereby having its axis extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven from one end of said motor including apivoted cutter bar swingable into positions at opposite sides of the machine and lengthwise of the ma chine, andfeeding means driven from the opposite end of said motor for feeding the machine bodily laterally over the mine bottom in any position of said bar comprising a plurality of relatively rotatable feed operatlng members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and disposed on transversel 1y within the lateral llmits of said frame.

extending horizontal axes wholfrom the opposite end of'said motor for feeding the machine bodily laterally over the mine bottom comprising a plurality of relatively rotatable feed operatin members each adapted to cooperate with exible feeding means and disposed on transversely extend" ing horizontal'axes wholly within the lateral limits of said frame.

4. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a,

horizontal motor carried thereby having its axis extending longitudinall of the machine, the height of said motor being only that requisite for its wer producing function and substantially etermming the height of the machine, cutting 'mechanlsm driven from one end of said motor including a pivoted cutter bar swingable into ositions at opposite sides of the machine and engthwise of the machine, and feeding means driven from the opposite end of said motor for feedin the machine bodily laterally over the mine ottom in any positlon of said bar comprising a plurality of relatively rotatable feed operating mem bers each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and disposed on transversely extending horizontal axes wholly within the lateral limits of said frame.

5. In'a mining machine, a machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom 10 a horizontal motor carried thereby having its axis extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven from one end of said motor, and feedingmeans driven from the opposite end of said motor for feedingthe machine bodily laterally over' the mine bottom comprising relatively rotatable feed operating members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and rotatable on horizontal transversely extending axes in a direction to draw in thelr'respective flexible feeding means by power.

6. In a mimn machine, a machine frame slidable on its ottom on the mine bottom, a horizontal motor carried thereby having its axis extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven from one end of said motor, and feeding means'driven from the opposite end of said motor for feeding the machine bodily laterally over the mine bottom comprising relatively rotatable feed operating members each adapted tofcooperate with flexlble feeding means and rotatableon horizontal transversel extending axes in a direction to draw in t eir respective flexible feeding means by power and disposed at the in their respective flexible feeding meaps by power.

8. In a mining machine, a machlne frame slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a

horizontal motor carried thereby having its' axis extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven from one end of said motor including a pivoted cutter bar swingable into positions at opposite sides of the machine and lengthwise of themachine, and feeding means driven from the "opposite end of said motor for feeding the machine bodily laterally over the mine bottom in any position of said bar'comprising relatively rotatable feed operating memberseach adapted to cooperate with flexible feed ing means and rotatable on horizontal trans versely extending axes in a direction to draw in their respective 'flexiblefeeding means by power.

9. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine-bottom, a horizontal motor carried thereby having its axis extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven from one end of said motor including a pivoted cutter bar swingable into positions at opposite-sides of the machine and lengthwise of the machine, and feeding means driven from the opposite end of saidmotor for feeding the machine bodily laterally over the mine bottom in any position of saidbar comprising relatively rotatable feed operating members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and rotatable on horizontal transversely extending axes in a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding means by power and disposed at the end of the ma- "chine remote from said cutting mechanism.

10. Ina mining machine, a machine frame 'slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom. a horizontal motor carried thereby having its axis extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism'driven from one end of said motor including a pivoted cutter bar swingable into positions at opposite sides of the machine and lengthwise of themachine, and fcedin means driven from the opposite end of sai motor for feeding the machine bodily laterally over the mine bottom in any,

versely extending axes in a direction to draw 1 position of said bar comprising coaxially arranged relatively .rotatable feed operating members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and rotatable on horizontal transversely extending axes in a dirt-ction to draw in their respective flexible feedin means by power.

1. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted torest upon and slide in any direction over the mine bottom,-a motor carried thereby, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a pivoted kerf cutter operati e to. cut a kerf in which the same 1s receivable when moved bodily rectilinearly in planes perpendicular to its pivot irrespective of the angle which it makes in said planes with its direction of movement, feeding means driven by said motor for propelling the m'achi'ne'bodily over the mine bottom during cutting, and mechanism driven by said motorwholly independently of said mavchine":t'eeding.means for swinging said kerf cutter about its pivot.

12. Ina mining machine, a machine frame adapted torest upon and slide in any direction over themine bottom, a motor carried thereby, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a pivoted kerf cutter operative to cuta kerf in which the same is receivablel. when moved bodily rectilinearly in planes perpendicular to its pivot irrespective of the angle which it makes in saidplanes with its direction of movement, feeding means driven by said motor for propelling the machine bodily over the mine bottom during'cutting, and mechanism driven by said motor wholly independently of said machine feeding r'neans for swinging said kerf cutter about its pivot and operable at will as the machine is fed bodily relative to the coal face.

' 13. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon-and slide in any direction over the mine bottom, amotor carried thereby, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a pivoted kerf cutter operative to cut a kerf in which the same is receivable when moved bodily rectilinearly in of the angle which it makes in said planes with its direction of movement, feeding means driven by said motor for, propelling the machine bodily over the mine bottom during cutting,and mechanism driven by said motor'wholly independently of said machine feeding means for swinging said kerf cutter about its pivot by power in opposite directions.

14. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to restupon and slide in any direction over themine bottom, a motor carried thereby, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a pivoted kerf cutter operative' to cut a kerf in which the same is receivable whenmoved bodily rectilinearly in planes perpendicular to its pivot irrespective machine bodily over the mine bottom during 1 operable at will as the machine is fed bodily cutting, and mechanism driven by said motor wholly independently of said machine feeding means for swinging said kerf cutter about its pivot by power in opposite directions and relative to the coal face.

15. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine bottom, a motor carried thereby, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a pivoted cutter bar, feeding means driven by said motor for propelling the machine bodily over the mine bottom during cutting and mechanism driven by said motor wholly independently of said feeding means for swinging said bar about its pivot and including automatic bar looking means for holding said bar in any position to which it may be swung.

16. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a motor carried thereby, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a kerf-cutter pivoted on said frame and having mounted thereon an endless cutter chain and operative to cut a kerf in which the chain is receivable when moved bodily rectilinearly in planes perpendicular to its pivot irrespective of the ,angle which it makes in said planes with its direction of movement, feeding means driven by said motor for feeding the machine relative to the coal face including a feed operating member and cooperating flexible element, and mechanism driven by said motor for swinging said kerf cutter about its pivot wholly independently of said feed operating member and said flexible element and while said cutter chain is disconnected from said motor.

17. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine bottom, a motor carried thereby, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a pivoted kerf cutter operative to cut a kerf in which the same is receivable when moved bodily rectilinearly in planes perpendicular to its pivot irrespective of the angle which itmakes in said planes with its direction of movement, feeding 5 means driven by said motor for propelling the machine bodily over the mine bottom during cutting including a feed operating member and a cooperating flexible element, and mechanism driven by said motor for swinging said kerf cutter about its pivot by power wholly independently of said feed operating member and cooperating flexible element.

18. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine bottom, a motor carried thereby, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a pivoted kerf cutter oper- .ative to cut a kerf in which the same is receivable when moved bodily rectilinearly in 'in opposite directions wholly indepen ently of said feed operating member and cooperating flexible element. I

19. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a motor carried thereby, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a pivoted cut- .ter bar, feeding means driven b said motor for propelling the machine i1 over the mine bottom uring cutting inclu g a feed operating member and a cooperating flexible element, and mechanism driven by said motor for swinging said cutter bar about its pivot by power-in opposite directions at different pre determined speeds wholly independently of said feed operating member an flexible element.

20. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable on its bottom on the mine bottom, a motor carried thereby, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a pivoted cutter bar, feeding means driven by said motor for pro elling the machine bodily over the mine ttom during cutting and mechanism driven b said motor wholly independently of said ceding means for swinging said bar about its pivot including driving gearing and automatic bar locking means including a frictional resistance device for automatically resisting rotation of said gear: ing when the latter is disconnected from said motor.

21. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable on its bottom directly on the minebottom, a horizontal motor carried by said frame and havingits axis extending longitudinally cooperating of the machine, cutting mechamsm driven from one end of said motor includin an elongated plane cutter bar projectin orizontally from said frame at one end t ereof, and machine feeding mechanism driven from the opposite end of said motor including relative y rotatable feed operating members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and disposed on horizontal transversely extending axes at the end of the machine remote from said cutter bar, mechanism for effecting rotation of said members separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding means at relatively slow speed or at relatively high speed, and means to control the actuation of each of said'feed operating members independently of each other.

22. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom, a horizontal motor carried by said frame and having its axis extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven from one end of said motor including an elongated plane cutter bar projecting horizontally from said frame at one end thereof, and machine feeding mechanism driven from the opposite end of said motor including relatively rotatable feed operatin members each adapted to cooperate with exible feeding means and disposed on horizontal transversely extending axes at the end of the machine remote from said cutter bar, and mechanism for efi ecting rotation of said members separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding means at relatively slow speed or at relatively high speed or to permit them to rotate in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding means under frictionally controlled resistance.

23. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom.ahorizontalmotorcarried by said frame andhavingitsaxisextendinglongitudinallyof the machine, cutting mechanism driven from one end of said motor including an elongated plane cutter bar projecting horizontally from said frame at one end thereof, and machine feeding mechanism driven from the opposite end of said motor including relatively rotatable feed operating members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and disposed on horizontal transversely extending axes at the end of the machine remote from said cutter bar, and mechanism for effecting rotation of said members separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding means at relatively slow speed or at relatively high speed, to permit them to rotate in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding means under frictionally controlled resistance or to permit them to rotate in a-direction to pay out said flexible feed 'ing means without such resistance.

24. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom, a horizontal motor carried by said frame and having its axis extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven from one end of said motor including an elongated plane cutter bar projecting horizontally from said frame at one end thereof and pivotal] y mounted on said frame to swing horizontally relative thereto. mechanism driven by said motor for swinging said cutter bar relative to said frame. and machine feeding mechanism driven from the opposite end of said motor including relatively'rotatablc feed operating members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and dis posed on horizontal transversely extending axes at the end of the machine remote from said cutter bar, mechanism for effecting rotation of said members separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding means at relatively slow speed or at relatively high speed, and means to control the actuation of each of said feed operating members independently of each other.

25. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom, a horizontal motor carried by said frame and having its axis extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven from one end of-saidmotor including an elongated plane cutter bar projecti n horizontally from said frame at one end t ereof and pivotally mounted on said frame to swing horizontally relative thereto, mechanism driven by said motor for swinging said cutter bar relative to said frame, and machine feeding mechanism driven from the opposite end of said motor including relatively rotatable feed operating members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and disposed on horizontal transversely extending axes at the end of the machineremote from said cutter bar, and mechanism for effecting rotation of said members separately or simultaneously in adirection to draw in said flexible feeding means at relatively slow speed or at relatively high speed or to permit them to rotate in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding means under frictionally controlled resistance.

26. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine vdriven from one end of said motor including an elongated plane cutter bar projecting horizontally from said frame at one end thereof and pivotally mounted on said frame to swing horizontally relative thereto, mechanism driven by said motor for swinging said cutter bar relative to said frame, and machine feeding mechanism driven from the opposite end of said motor including relatively rotatable feed operating members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and disposed on horizontal transversely extending axes at the end-of the machine remote from said cutter bar, and mechanism for effecting rotation of said members separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding means at relatively slow speed or at relatively high speed, to permit them to rotate in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding means under frictionally controlled having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, the height of said motor being only that requisite for the power pro ducing function and determining the height of the machine, cutting mechanism driven from one end of said motor and including a horizontal plane cutter bar projecting from said frame at one end thereof, the top and bottom plane surfaces of said bar lying in planes intersecting said motor, and machine feeding mechanism driven from the opposite end of said motor and including relatively rotatable feed operating members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and disposed on horizontal axes extending transversely of the machine at the end thereof remote from said cutter bar, said members being rotatable simultaneouslv in a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding means by power.

28. In a mining machine, a frame slidable directly on its bottom on the mine bottom, a horizontal motor carried by said frame and having its power shaft extending longitudinall of the machine, the height of said motor eing only that requisite for the power producing function and determining the height of the machine, cutting mechanism driven from one end of said motor and including a horizontal plane cutter bar projecting from said frame at one end thereof, the top and bottom plane surfaces of said cutter bar lying in planes intersecting said motor, and machine feeding mechanism driven from the opposite end of said motor and including relatively rotatable feed operating members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and disposed on horizontal axes extending transversely of the machine at the end thereof remote from said cutter bar, plural speed mechanism between said motor and said feed operating members for effecting rotation thereof in a direction to wind in said flexible feeding means separately or simultaneously at either a relatively slow speed or at a relatively high speed, and means to control the actuation of each of said feed operating members independently of each other.

29. In a mining machine, a frame slidable directly on its bottom on the mine bottom, a horizontal motor carried by said frame and having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, the height of said motor being only that requisite for the power producing function and determining the height of the machine, cutting mechanism driven from one end of said motor and including a horizontal plane cutter bar projecting from said frame at one end thereof, the top and bottom plane surfaces of said outter bar lying in planes intersecting said motor, and machine feeding mechanism driven from the opposite end of said motor and including relatively rotatable feed operating members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and disposed on horizontal axes extending transversely of the machine at the end thereof remote from said cutter bar, and plural speed mechanism between said motor and said feed operating members for effecting rotation thereof in a direction to wind in said flexible feeding means separately or simultaneously at either a relatively slow speed or at a relatively high speed or to permit said members to rotate in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding means under frictionally controlled resistance.

30. In a mining machine, a frame slidable directly on its bottom on the mine bottom, a horizontal motor carried by said frame and having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, the height of said motor being only that requisite for the power producing function and determining the height of the machine, cutting mechanism driven from one end of said motor and including a horizontal plane cutter bar projecting from said frame at one end thereof, the top and bottom plane surfaces of said cutter bar ly1ng in planes intersecting said motor, and machine feeding mechanism driven from the opposite end of said motor and including relatively rotatable feed operating members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and disposed on horizontal axes extending transversely of the machine at the end thereof remote from said cutter bar, and plural speed mechanism between said motor and said feed operating members for effecting rotation thereof in a direction to wind in said flexible feeding means separately or simultaneously at either a relatively slow speed or at a relatively high speed, to permit said members. to rotate in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding means under frictionally controlled resistance or to permit said members to revolve in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding means without such resist: ance. I

31. In a low vein room' and pillar mining machine, a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom, a low compact horizontal motor carried by said frame and having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, the height of the motor being only that requisite for the power producing function and determining the height of the machine, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including an elongated plane cutter bar projecting horizontally from said frame at one end thereof, the top and bottom plane surfaces of said cutter bar lying V in planes intersecting said motor, and machine feeding mechanism driven by said motor including relatively rotatable feed operating members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and disposed on horizontal axes extending transversely of the machine at the end thereof remote from said cutter bar, mechanism for effecting rotation of said members in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding means separately or simultaneously at either arelatively slow speed or a relatively high speed. and means to control the actuation of'each of said feed operating members independently of each other.

32. In a low vein room and pillar mining machine. a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom. a low compact horizontal motor carried by said frame and having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine. the height of the motor being only that requisite for the power producing function and determining the height of the machine. cutting mechanism driven by said motor including an elongated plane cutter bar projecting horizontally from said frame at one end thereof. the top and bottom plane surfaces of said cutter bar lying in planes intersecting said motor. and machine feeding mechanism driven by said motor including relatively rotatable feed operating members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and disposed on horizontal axes extending transversely of the machine at the end thereof remote from said cutter bar. and mechanism for effecting rotation of said members in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding means separately or simultaneously at eithera relatively slow speed or a relatively high speed or to permit said members to rotate in a direction to pay out said flexiblefeeding means under frictionallv controlled resistance.

33. In a low vein room and pillor mining machine. a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom, a low compact horizontal motor carried by said frame and having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine. the height of the motor being only that requisite for the power producing function and determining the height of the machine. cutting mechanism driven by said motor including an elongated plane cutter bar projecting horizontally from said frame at one end thereof. the top and bottom plane surfaces of said cutter bar lying in planes intersecting said motor, and machine feeding mechanism driven by said motor including relatively rotatable feed operating members each adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and disposed on horizontal axes extending transversely of the machine at the end thereof remote from said cutterbar. and mechanism for effecting rotation of said members in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding means separately or simultaneously at either a relatively slow speed or a relatively high speed, to permit said members to rotate in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding means under frictionally controlled resistance. or to permit said members to rotate in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding means without such resistance.

34. In a mnnng maclnne, a frame slidable .on its bottom directly on the mine bottom,

and mechanism between said motor and said members for effecting rotation of either of said members separately or of both simultaneously in a direction to draw in said feed cables at either a relatively fast speed or a relatively slow speed including a fast speed friction controlling clutch and a slow speed friction controlling clutch, said clutches being selectively operable to effect different speeds.

35. In a mining machine. a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom, a centrally located motor carried by said frame and having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven by one end of said motor, and machine feeding means driven by the opposite end of said motor including relatively rotatable winding members having their axes disposed parallel to a transverse vertical plane and each adapted to cooperate with a separate flexible feeding element, and mechanism between said motor and said members for effecting rotation of either of said members separately or of both simultaneously in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding elements at either a relatively fast speed or a relatively slow speed including a frictionally controlled fast speed worm gear train and a frictionally controlled slow speed worm gear train, the drive through said fast speed gear train being always interrupted while said slow speed gear train is operative.

36. In a mining machine, a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom, a centrally located motor carried by said frame and having its power shaft extending longit-iulinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven by one end of said motor. and machine feeding means driven by the opposite end of said motor including relatively rotatable winding members having their axes disposed parallel to a transverse vertical plane and eachadaptcd to cooperate with a separate flexible feeding clen'ient. and mechanism between said motor and said members for effecting rotation of either of said members separately or of both simultaneously in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding elements at either a relatively fast speed or a relatively slow speed or to permit said members to rotate in a direction to ay out the flexible feeding elements under rictionally controlled resistance, said mechanism including a frictionally controlled fast speed worm gear train and a frictionally controlled slow speed worm gear train, the drive through said fast speed gear train being always interrupted while said slow speed gear train is operative.

37. In a mining machine, a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom, a centrally located motor carried by said frame and having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven by one end of said motor, and machine feeding means driven by the opposite end of said motor including relatively rotatable winding members having their axes disposed parallel to a transverse vertical plane and each adapted to cooperate with a separate flexible feeding element, andmechanism between said motor and said members for effecting .rotation of either of said members separately or of both simultaneously in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding elements at either a relatively fast speed or a relatively slow speed, to permit said members ,to rotate in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding elements under frictionally controlled resistance or to permit said members to rotate in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding elements without such resistance, said mechanism including a frictionally controlled fast speed worm gear train and a frictionally controlled slow speed worm ear train, the drive through said fast speed gear train bein always inter rupted' while said slow spee operative.

38. In a mining machine, a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom, a centrally located motor carried by said frame and having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven by one end of said motor, and machine gear train is feeding means driven by the opposite end of said motor including relatively rotatable winding members having their axes dis posed parallel to a transverse vertical plane and each adapted to cooperate with a separate flexible feeding element, and mechanism between said motor and said members for effecting rotation of either of said members separately or of both simultaneously in a direction todraw in said flexible feeding elements at either a relatively fast speed or a relatively slow speed including coaxial fast and slow speed worm gears and a separate friction clutch for controlling each worm gear, the clutch controlling one worm gear always being released when the clutch controlling the other gear is applied.

39. In a mining machine, a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom, a centrally located motor carried by said frame and having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven by one end of said motor, and machine feeding means driven by the opposite end of said motor including relatively rotatable winding members having their axes disposed parallel to a transverse vertical plane and each adapted to cooperate with a separate flexible feeding element, and mechanism between said motor and said members for effecting rotation of either of said members separately or of both simultaneously in v a direction to draw in said flexible feeding elements at either a relatively fast speed or a relatively slow speed or to permit said members to rotate in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding elements under frictionally controlled resistance, said mechanism including coaxial fast and slow speed worm gears and a separate friction clutch forcont-rolling each worm gear, the clutch controlling one worm gear always being released when the clutch cont-rolling the other gear is applied.

40. In a mining machine, a frame slidablc on its bottom directly on the mine bottom, a centrally located motor carried by said frame and having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven by one end of said motor, and machine feeding means driven by the opposite end of said motor including relatively rotatable winding members having their axes dispose-d parallel to a transverse vertical plane and each adapted to cooperate 'with a separate flexible feeding element, and mechanism between said motor and said members for effecting rotation of either of said members separately or of both simultaneously in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding elements at either a relatively fast speed or a relatively slow speed or to permit said members to rotate in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding elements under frictionally controlled resistance, to permit said members to rotate in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding elements without such resistance, said mechanism including coaxial fast and slow speed worm gears and a separate frietion clutch for controlling each worm gear, the clutch controlling one worm gear always being released when the clutch controlling the other gear is applied.

41. In a mining machine, a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom. a centrally located motor carried by said frame and having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine,cutting mechanism driven by one end of said motor, and machine feeding means driven by the opposite end of said motor including relatively rotatable winding members each adapted to cooperate with a separate flexible feeding element and disposed on horizontal axes extending transversely of the machine, and mechanism be.- tween said motor and said members for cfl'ecting rotation thereof either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding elements at either a relatively fast speed or a relatively slow speed, to permit said members to rotate in a direction to pay out said flex ble feeding elements under frictionally controlled resistance or to permit said members to rotate in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding elements without such resistance, said mechanism including coaxial fast and slow speed worm wheels arranged on horizontal axes extending transversely of the machine, and a separate operator-controlled friction clutch for controlling each worm wheel.

42. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine bottom, a motor carried thereby, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a pivoted kerf cutter operative to cut a kerf in which the same is receivable when moved bodily rectilinearly in planes perpendicular to its pivot irrespective of the angle which it makes in said planes with its direction of movement, feeding means driven'by said motor for propelling the machine bodily over the mine bottom during cutting, and mechanism driven by said motor wholly independently of said machine feeding means for swinging said kerf cutter about its pivot by power in opposite directions while said feeding means operates continuously in the same direction.

43. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine bottom, a motor carried thereby, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a pivoted kerf cutter operative to cut a kerf in which the same is receivable when moved bodily rectilinearly in planes perpendicular to its pivot irrespective of the angle which it makes in said planes with its direction of movement, feeding means driven by said motor for propelling the machine bodily over the mine bottom during cutting, and mechanism driven by said motor wholly independently of said machine feeding means for swinging said kerf cutter about its pivot by power in opposite directions while said feeding means operates continuously in the same direction and operable at will as the machine is fed bodily relative to the coal face.

44. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine bottom, a motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a pivoted kerf cutter swingable horizontally relative to said frame, and operative to cut a kerf in which the same is receivable when moved bodily reetilinearly in planes perpendicular to its pivot irrespective of the angle which it makes in said planes with its direction of movement, feedingand guiding means driven by said motor for feeding the machine bodily laterally over the mine bottom in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axisof the machine and for guiding the machine during said lateral movement and including flexible feeding elements extending in opposite directions from the opposite ends of said frame and connectible at their free ends to extraneous abutments, and mechanism driven by said motor and operated wholly independently of said flexible feeding elements for swinging said kerf cutter about its pivot relative to said frame.

45. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine bottom, a motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a pivoted kerf cutter swingable horizontally relative to said frame and operative to cut a kerf in which the same is receivable when moved bodily rectilinearly in planes perpendicular to its pivot irrespective of the angle which it makes in said planes with its direction of movement, feeding and guiding means driven by said motor for feeding the machine bodily lateral- 1y over the mine bottom in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the machine and for guiding the machine during said lateral movement and including flexible feeding elements extending in opposite directions from the opposite ends of said frame and connectible at their free ends to extraneous abutments, and mechanism driven by said motor and operated wholly independently of said flexible feeding elements for swinging said kerf cutter about its pivot relative to said frame and operable at will as the machine is fed bodily laterally relative to the coal face.

46. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine bottom a motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a pivoted kerf cutter swingable horizontally relative to said frame and operative to cut a kerf in which the same is receivable when moved bodily rectilinearly in planes perpendicular to its pivot irrespective of the angle which it makes in said planes with its direction of movement, feeding and guiding means driven by said motor for feeding the machine bodily laterally over the mine bottom in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the machine and for guiding the machine during said lateral movement and including flexible feeding elements extending in opposite directions from the opposite ends of said frame and connectible at their free ends to extraneous abutments, and mechanism driven by said motor and operated wholly independently of said flexible feeding elements for swinging said kerf cutter about its pivot by power in opposite directions while said feeding means operates continuously in the same direction.

47. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide 1n any direction over the mine bottom, a motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a pivoted kerf cutter swingable horizontally relative to said frame and operative to cut a kerf in which the same is receivable when moved bodily rectilinearly in planes perpendicular toit's pivot irrespective of the angle which it makes in said planes with its direction of movement, feeding and guiding means driven by said motor for feeding the machine bodily laterally over the mme bottom in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the machine and for guiding the machine during said lateral movement and including flexible feeding elements extending in opposite directions from the opposite ends of said frame and connectible at their free ends to extraneous abutments, and mechanism driven by said motor and operated wholly independently of said flexible feeding elements for swinging said kerf cutter about its pivot by power in opposite directions while said feeding means operates continuously in the same direction and operable at will as the machine is fed bodily laterally relative to the coal face.

48. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine bottom, a motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor including a pivoted cutter bar swingable horizontally relative to said frame, feeding and guiding means driven by said motor for feeding the machine bodily lateral- 1y over the mine bottom in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the machine and for guiding the machine durin said lateral movement and including flexi le feeding elements extending in opposite directions from the opposite ends of said frame and connectible at their free ends to extraneous abutments, and mechanism driven by said motor and operated wholly independently of said flexible feeding elements for swinging said cutter bar about its pivot relative to said frame and including automatic bar locking means for locking said cutter bar irrespective of its position about its pivot.

49. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine bottom, a motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor includin a pivoted kerf cutter swingable horizontal y relative to said frame and operative to cut a kerf in which the same is receivable when moved bodily rectilinearly in planes perpendicular to its pivot irrespective of the angle which it makes in said planes with its direction of movement, feeding and guiding means driven by said motor for feeding the machine bodily laterally over the mine bottom in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the machine and for guiding the machine during said lateral movement and including relative] rotatable power operated and controlled eed operating members mounted on said frame and flexible feeding elements cooperating respectively with said feed operating members and extending in opposite directions from the opposite ends of said frame and connectible at their free ends to extraneous abutments, and mechanism driven by said motor and operated wholly independently of said flexible feeding elements for swinging said kerf cutter about its pivot relative to said frame.

50. In a mining machine, a frame slidable on its bottom directl on the mine bottom a centrally located horizontal motor carried by said frame and having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, cutting mechanism driven 'by one end of said motor, and machine feeding means driven by the opposite end of said motor including relatively rotatable winding members each adapted to cooperate with a separate flexible feed cable. and mechanism between said motor and said members for effecting rotation of either of said members separately or of both simultaneously in a direction to draw in said feed cables at either a relatively fast speed or a relatively slow speed including a fast speed friction controlling clutch and a slow speed friction controlling clutch, said clutches being arranged on axes disposed parallel to a trans verse vertical plane and selectively operable to effect different speeds.

51. In a mining machine, a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom, a motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor, and machine feeding means driven by said motor including relatively rotatable winding members each adapted to cooperate with a separate flexible feeding element, and mechanism between said motor and said members for effecting rotation of either of said members separately or of both simultaneously in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding elements at either a relatively fast speed or a relatively slow speed including a frictionally controlled fastspeed worm gear train and a frictionally controlled slow speed worm gear train, said gear trains each including a horizontal worm individual thereto and the drive through said fast speed gear train being always interrupted while said slow speed gear train is operative.

52. In a mining machine, a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom. a motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor, and machine feeding means driven by said motor including relatively rotatable winding members each adapted to cooperate with a separate flexible feeding element, and mechanism between said motor and said members for effecting rotation of either of said members separately or of both simultaneously in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding elements at either a relatively fast speed or a relatively slow speed or to permit said members to rotate in a direction to pay out the flexible feeding elements under frictionally controlled resistance, said mechanism including a frictionally controlled fast speed worm gear train and a frietionally controlled slow speed worm gear train, said gears trains each including a. horizontal worm individual thereto and the drive through said fast speed gear train being always interrupted while said slow speed gear train is operative.

53. In a mining machine, a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom, a motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor, and machine feeding means driven by said motor including relatively rotatable winding members each adapted to cooperate with aseparate flexible feeding element, and mechanism between said motor and said members for effecting rotation of either of said members separately or of both simultaneously in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding elements at either a relatively fast speed or a relatively slow speed, to permit said members to rotate in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding elements under frictionally controlled resistance or to permit said members to rotate in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding elements without such resistance, said mechanism including a frictionally controlled fast speed worm gear train and a frictionally controlled slow speed worm gear train, said gear trains each including a horizontal worm individual thereto and the drive through said fast speed gear train being always interrupted while. said slow speed gear train is operative.

54. In a mining machine, a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom, a motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor, and machine feeding means driven by said motor including relatively rotatable winding members each adapted to cooperate with a separate flexible feeding element, and mechanism between said motor and said members for effecting rotation of either of. said members separately or of both simultaneously in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding elements at either a relatively fast speed or a relatively slow speed including coaxial fast and slow speed worm gears, horizontal worms meshing with said worm gears and a separate friction clutch for controlling each worm gear. the clutch controlling one worm gear always being released when the clutch con trolling the other gear is applied.

In a mining machine, a frame slidable on its bot-tom directly on the mine bottom, a

motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor, and machine feeding means driven by said motor including relatively rotatable winding members each adapted to cooperate with a separate flexible feeding element, and mechanism between said motor and said members for effecting rotation of either of said members separately or of both simultaneously in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding elements at either a relatively fast speed or a relatively slow speed or to permit said members to retate in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding elements under frictionally controlled resistance, said mechanism including coaxial fast and slow speed worm gears, horizontal worms meshing with said worm gears and a separate friction clutch for controlling each worm gear, the clutch controlling one worm gear always being released when the clutch controlling the other gear is applied.

56. In a mining machine, a frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom, a motor carried by said frame, cutting mechanism driven by said motor, and machine feeding means driven by said motor including relatively rotatable winding members each adapted to cooperate with a separate flexible feeding element, and mechanism between said motor and said members for effecting rotation of either of said members separately or of both simultaneously in a direction to draw in said flexible feeding elements at either a relatively fast speed or a relatively slow speed or to permit said members to rotate in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding elements under frictionally controlled resistance, to permit said members to rotate in a direction to pay out said flexible feeding elements without such resistance, said mechanism including coaxial fast and slow speed worm gears, horizontal worms meshing with said gears and a separate friction clutch for controlling each worm gear, the clutch controlling one worm gear always being released when the clutch controlling the other gear is applied.

57. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom and having lateral recesses in the sides thereof forming top and bottom laterally projecting ledges, and flexible feeding means for the machine including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with a flexible feeding element and respectively arranged within said recesses withln the lateral limits of said frame, said ledges projecting laterally above and below said members, and means for effecting actuation of said feeding members independently by power.

58. In a mining machine, a machine frame slidable on its bottom directly on the mine bottom and having lateral recesses in the sides thereof forming top and bottom laterally projecting ledges, and flexible feeding means for the machine including relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with a flexible feeding element and respectively arranged Within said recesses within the lateral limits of said frame, said ledges projecting laterally above and below said members, and means for effecting actuation of said feeding members independently by power, said recesses being open at their rear ends to permit the flexible feeding elements to be extended rearwardly from said feed members to suitable guides on the frame.

59, In a mining machine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flex ible feeding means extending therefrom to an abutment extraneous to the machine and relative to which the machine is to be moved by the feeding mechanism, and motor operated plural speed driving mechanism for said members through which each is drivable independently of the other including worms rotating on horizontal longitudinally extending axes, worm wheels rotating on horizontal axes and meshing with said worms, clutches controlling said worm wheels respectively, and separate clutches between said worm wheels and said feeding members.

60. In a mining machine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means extending therefrom to an abutment extraneous to the machine and relative to which the machine is to be moved by the feeding mechanism, and motor operated plural speed driving mechanism for said members including worms rotating on horizontal longitudinally extending axes, worm wheels rotating 'on horizontal axes and meshingwith said worms, and clutches for selectively connecting said worm wheels in driving relation with said feed members.

61. In a mining machine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means extending therefrom to an abutment extraneous to the machine and relative to which the machine is to be moved by the feeding mechanism, a motor having a horizontal longitudinally extending power shaft, :1 second shaft arranged parallel with said power shaft and driven thereby, a third shaft parallel with said shafts and driven by said second shaft, operator controllable driving connections between said second and third shafts and said feeding members for connecting either of the same selectively in driving relation with the latter and transposable change speed gears connecting said second and third shafts in driving relation for varying the relative rates of rotation of said second and third mentioned shafts.

62. In a mining machine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means extending therefrom to an abutment extraneous to the machine and relative to which the machine is to be moved by the feeding mechanism, a motor having a horizontal longitudinally extending power shaft, a second shaft arranged parallel with said power shaft and driven thereby, a third shaft parallel with said shafts and driven by said second shaft, worms secured to said second and third shafts, worm wheels meshing with said worms, and clutches for selectively connecting said worm wheels in driving relation with said feeding members.

63. In a miningmachine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means extending therefrom to an abutment extraneous to the machine and said power shaft and driven thereby, a third.

shaft parallel with said shafts and driven by said second shaft, worms secured to said second and third shafts, worm wheels meshing with said worms and rotating on horizontal transversely extending axes, and

clutches for selectively connecting said worm wheels in driving relation with said feeding members.

64. In a mining machine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feeding memberseach adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, a motor having a horizontal longitudinally extending power shaft, a'

second shaft arranged parallel with said power shaft and driven thereby, a third shaft parallel with said shafts and driven by said second shaft, worms secured to said second and third shafts, worm wheels meshing with said worms and rotating on horizontal transversely extending axes, a fourth shaft coaxial with said worm wheels, and clutches for selectively connecting said worm wheels in driving relation with said fourth shaft.

65. In a mining machine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feeding members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated mechanism for driving said members in a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding means at either fast or slow speeds including a shaft, connections between the opposite ends of said shaft and said members respectively, and a plural speed transmission mechanism including a fast speed geartrain and a slow speed gear train, each train having a final worm wheel coaxial with said shaft and a worm meshing with said worm wheel, said worms rotatin on parallel horizontal axes, and clutches or selec- 

